EVERETT — Aaron Brooks is getting the opportunity to shine on the Northwest League’s premier stage.
And he’s getting that chance in front of his hometown fans.
The Mountlake Terrace native was one of seven Everett AquaSox who were named to the Northwest League All-Star Game on Thursday.
Brooks, a relief pitcher, is part of the North Division team, which will take on the South Division on Aug. 6 at Everett Memorial Stadium. It’s the first of what will become an annual event in the Northwest League.
“It’s really cool,” Brooks said about being able to play in an All-Star Game that’s essentially in his hometown. “I don’t know how many people are going to make it out, but hopefully quite a few of my family and friends can make out to see me.”
The other Everett players who were named to the North Division team were third baseman D.J. Peterson, shortstop Jack Reinheimer, first baseman Justin Seager, catcher Carlton Tanabe, starting pitcher Lars Huijer and reliever Jose Valdivia.
Two local players who don’t play for the Sox were also named to the team. Monroe High School graduate Ian Parmley, who plays for Vancouver, was named to the North Division team. Pitcher Chris Johnson, a Meadowdale High School grad playing for Salem-Keizer, was selected for the South Division team.
Brooks has had a rough time in his past couple outings, but before that he was dominating coming out of Everett’s bullpen. Going into Thursday’s game the right-hander was 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA and was tied for the team lead in saves with three. He also had an impressive 21 strikeouts in 172/3 innings.
“It’s pretty cool,” Brooks said about being named an All-Star. “I haven’t been doing real well the past couple outings, but the fan base (which was part of the voting process) really helped.
“I’ve worked hard to get here. It’s definitely going to be a good experience.”
Peterson was to be one of the game’s marquee names. The Seattle Mariners’ first-round pick in this year’s draft was batting .312 and was leading the league in home runs (six), RBI (27) and slugging percentage (.532). However, Peterson was promoted to Clinton of the mid-Class A Midwest League on Wednesday and will not participate in the All-Star Game.
Reinheimer, Seager and Tanabe have been steady performers for the Sox this season. Reinheimer went into Thursday batting .285 with 17 RBI, and he’d committed just two errors at shortstop. Seager was batting .254 and was tied for second on the team in homers with three. Tanabe, splitting time equally with Christian Carmichael behind the plate, was batting .257.
Huijer has been one of the league’s best starting pitchers. The righty from the Netherlands was tied for the league lead in wins with five and was third in ERA at 2.21. Valdivia has been a force in the bullpen, going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and two saves.
Everett’s staff of manager Rob Mummau, pitching coach Rich Dorman, hitting coach Rafael Santo Domingo and athletic trainer Spyder Webb will serve as the North Division’s staff.
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